I'm hearing for the first time that some cities (large ones) don't have McDonald's... It's strange and interesting to know what explains this. Maybe it's a specific city policy?)))

But in Nizhny Novgorod, there are many of them. It seems like there's one in every district. And the first thing you'll see when you arrive in our city, after the train station, will be a McDonald's.
Personally, they don't bother me and don't cause any irritation. Sometimes the queues are annoying, of course... But in general, it's very convenient to pop in. I haven't tried eating there constantly (and don't want to). But after fries (whether regular or "country-style"), cola with ice, and ice cream - these are my preferences - you can definitely live. I've tested it myself!